Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Memorial Day Observance, Niles IL, May 26, 2014

Panoramic photo shows the line-up of civic officials facing the audience as everyone listens to Mayor Andrew Przybylo's remarks  honoring  the fallen at the Niles Veterans Memorial Waterfall.

Commander James Kozak looks on from the left and the taller Friends of the Niles Library President and Village trustee Chris Hanusiak stands 3rd to the right from the Mayor. In addition to the other members of the Niles VFW Post 7712 present, the dignitaries visible include Village Trustees Rosemary Palicki, John  Jekot,  Dannette O'Donovan Matyas, (also a Library Board Trustee), Joe LaVerde, George Alpogianis,  Niles Village Manager Steve Vinezeano, and Deputy Police Chief Vincenzo Genualdi.

The Niles VFW Post 7712 Members, Ted Szewc and Tom Davidson, stand before the flagpole and plaque at the Niles Veterans Memorial Waterfall after the well-attended Annual Memorial Day Observance.

Marker just west of Niles Veterans Memorial Waterfall identifying  former location of St. Hedwig's orphanage and its successor buildings. The waterfall is located at the southwest corner of the Milwaukee and Touhy intersection in Niles, Illinois.

Monday, May 12, 2014

"D-Day," the Annual May, 2014 Memorial Day Exhibit at the Library


The library’s annual May display to honor our local veterans and highlight the local Veteran’s History Project was initiated by Battle of the Bulge veteran, Al Aronson, of the US

28th Infantry Division or the “Keystone”/Bucket of Blood Division  in 2009.  Mr. Aronson’s interview transcript is available along with those of 52 other heroes in the 3rd floor Reference Department and via the library’s website . This year’s exhibit focuses on the 70th Anniversary of D-Day, June 6, 1944. The library acknowledges the informed generosity of Niles resident and veteran Ralph Ponfil who donated the German war artifacts.  This year’s exhibit again benefits greatly from the contributions of Niles resident Chris Reuscher who has shared appropriate uniforms from his extensive collection which is detailed on a most helpful website .
3 VHP participants who have recorded their memoirs of service through the Niles Public Library took part in the Normandy Invasion: Max Kolpas (Wood Dale), Walter Tymczuk (Niles) and Matthew Wojtaszek (Niles). All served in the US Army.






Saturday, May 10, 2014

"The Longest Day" Showing Sunday, May 18, 1:30pm



 In anticipation of the June 6th observance of the 70th Anniversary of D-Day, the Niles Public Library, 6960 W. Oakton St., screens the 1962 Academy Award-winning film, featuring a virtual who's who of Hollywood stars. The film is rated G and runs 178 minutes.

Two residents of Niles and participants in the Veterans History Project, Mr. Walter Tymczuk and Mr. Matthew Wojtaszek participated in the Normandy invasion as did the Wood Dale participant,  Mr. Max Kolpas. All of the VHP transcripts can be read and listened to online and  in the library.